EX rank supporting role’s replay in a prestigious school-Chapter 1065: Night Outpost (8)

Once Han realized and accepted that he was Cheongho, the first thing that crossed his mind was the god-like figure, Shin-in.

“Gongcheonghwon, Teacher... Shin-in...”

He felt as if he could hear the song of Shin-in echoing in his ears, just as he had heard it in the days when he was still Cheongho.

However, Han still couldn't hear anything.

Since Cheongho was a pure-blood, untainted by human blood, he couldn't become human in the same way as Shin-in. There would have to be a price to pay.

Moreover, Cheongho had wished to "serve Shin-in" from the Heavenly Deities, so it was obvious that the Heavenly Deities would eventually descend to find him.

Because of Cheongho's existence, the position of Shin-in might have been exposed.

Thus, before becoming human, Yeong-in made a suggestion.

― "I will hide your soul in the shadow of my image. While your father will not be able to reach you through your dreams, he will not be able to find you on Earth."

― "Little one, you will be connected to your father’s most powerful blessing. Will that be alright?"

― "It’s fine."

Yeong-in had dark eyes.

His eyes were so devoid of light that it made Han wonder whether it was even possible for him to see anything.

― "I will use our brother as a hostage to cover my father’s eyes."

At Yeong-in’s words, Shin-in gave a faint smile.

It was only natural that Yeong-in would say such a thing, considering that Shin-in’s plan was to take him hostage to gain the power of the Heavenly Deities.

Perhaps because he didn’t like the idea of using their brother as a hostage, Yeong-in quickly changed the subject.

Yeong-in spoke while looking at Cheongho.

― "Deceiving Father’s eyes will be more difficult than turning Cheongho into a human."

― "I’ve already molded a body from the earth of this land that could serve as Cheongho’s flesh."

― "While it’s common for gods to create human bodies, our brother is half-divine. Besides, he’s about to become human."

Yeong-in's words made sense.

Although Cheongho and Shin-in had been a growing burden to Yeong-in, Han's unease persisted. Yet, Yeong-in continued speaking.

― "I will become a god and create the human body for Cheongho from the earth that our brother molded. Even if Cheongho is reborn multiple times, he will be able to use this body. I will prepare many of them ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) on this land."

With Yeong-in’s help, preparations for becoming human advanced smoothly.

As Yeong-in inspected the body Shin-in had created, he spoke to Cheongho.

― "Cheongho, using a human body will come at a cost."

Cheongho cherished Shin-in the most.

But, since this was his wish to be near Shin-in, he would lose everything else except Shin-in.

The bonds with friends, the beautiful sounds he once heard, the achievements in Taehogwon, the affection shared with his disciples...

Yeong-in, who usually showed little emotion, spoke these words with an expression devoid of feelings, as if emotions didn’t exist at all.

The more Han thought of Yeong-in, the darker his mind seemed to become, as if his thoughts were becoming clouded, just like Yeong-in’s eyes. He changed his mind.

“Through the power of Yeoui Boju, I’ve almost recalled everything. Shin-in, my disciples, my friends, and Yeong-in...”

Next, Han thought about the friends and disciples he had left behind.

There were already those he had met as Han.

The memory of the four disciples who had cried without caring about appearances in front of Han came to mind.

“I made my grown disciples cry. What a disgrace as a teacher.”

The Hojo family members who had already realized Han's true identity and approached him briefly flashed across his mind.

“Hwang-ho is still the same, and Jeok-ho has likely broken free from the red cage, as he has appeared at the orphanage. Je-ho has changed his appearance, but it must be Teacher Kim Shin-rok, right? Looking at how Yong Je-gun is making things difficult, it’s obvious. Eun-ho... has he not yet awakened from his deep sleep? And Baek-ho...”

Han remembered the person who had recreated Baek-ho’s sword dance during the military academy exchange opening ceremony.

Only Baek-ho could perfectly recreate his own sword dance to that extent.

Considering Hwang-ho’s personality, it was unlikely he would let anyone other than a friend take on Baek-ho's role in such a setting.

Recalling that the person who danced the sword dance wore a school uniform, Han chuckled.

Perhaps, soon, he might see Baek-ho at school.

As his consciousness gradually returned to reality, Han thought of Yeong-in for the last time.

“I should have said goodbye as a friend.”

When Yeong-in asked if he wouldn’t stay by his side, Cheongho had answered as someone serving Shin-in, not as a friend.

At that time, Yeong-in hadn’t used reverse magic, but if he had treated him as a friend, as he had requested before, perhaps his heart would have been a little lighter.

With regret, Han opened his eyes.

Before him, Yong Je-gun was testing whether Han could respond to sound on his own, acting on his own whims.

“It seems like you still can’t hear. But you must have recalled what hearing feels like, right?”

“Don’t mess around with Han. Ah, Han, you’re awake!”

“Should I call you Han? Or should I call you Cheongho?”

Suddenly, light poured into Han's eyes, making them sting. Despite the discomfort, he read the lips of Yong Je-gun and Dokgo Mi-ro.

Seeing Yong Je-gun grinning and calling out "Han? Cheongho?" Han responded quickly to avoid hearing it again.

“Do as you please.”

“Got it, I have your permission to do as I please.”

“Han, you shouldn’t say that to Teacher Yong! ...Huh?”

Dokgo Mi-ro stared at Han and widened her eyes.

From the tips of Han’s fingers, fine particles of earth were falling.

The earth scattered in a dark glow.

Han realized that his time was running out.

Rustling...

As one of Han’s fingers turned to earth, Dokgo Mi-ro gasped in horror.

“Teacher Yong! Is this the side effect of Yeoui Boju? Do something!”

“Side effect of Yeoui Boju? Ha ha, that's an interesting way to put it. It’s not wrong. The result was bound to come after the wish was granted.”

“Are you seriously saying that? Eo-shin would never let Han go through this!”

“I told you that if we missed today, Cheongho’s body would either be destroyed or permanently taken by someone else. Are you going to blame Eo-shin for that? Ah, Eo-shin had already anticipated and made a wish, so if you blame him, he will accept full responsibility for it.”

Yong Je-gun narrowed his cyan-colored eyes.

Dokgo Mi-ro couldn’t retort.

Han spoke calmly.

“The cost I paid is almost fully returned, so my body can’t hold up. This isn’t really a human body. It’s made of clay.”

“Remarkable craftsmanship. Not even I, and certainly not Hwang-ho or many of the pure-blooded clan members, could see through it. This must be the work of someone using god-like creation powers, even among the higher beings.”

Dokgo Mi-ro realized what had happened to Han.

Now that Han had recognized himself as Cheongho, he would return to his original form.

At that moment, Hwang-ho was in a crisis, and Cheongho, anticipating the Hojo family’s impending danger, had made preparations to return to his original form and fight together. Dokgo Mi-ro could guess this too.

For some unknown reason, those preparations hadn’t worked, and they had to use Yong Je-gun’s wish instead.

“...Han, are you going? Is Cheongho returning now?”

“Yes.”

Dokgo Mi-ro couldn’t hold onto Han.

Perhaps she knew that if she grabbed his hand now, it would hasten his transformation into earth, or perhaps she felt unworthy to hold him. Dokgo Mi-ro herself wasn’t sure.

Han looked at Dokgo Mi-ro.

While the young Han couldn't understand her actions, Cheongho, who had lived for a long time and made the choice to leave his friends behind, would understand her.

Though it was becoming harder to speak, Han mustered his last strength.

“I will never again leave my friends and companions behind.”

“...Huh?”

“When I can hear again, I want to listen to the song you sing.”

Before the tears could fall from Dokgo Mi-ro’s eyes, Han’s consciousness faded.

When his consciousness, which had been holding his body together, was severed, he disappeared in an instant.

Underground of the Rose Farm.

Because of the soundproofing items, no sound could be heard, yet Cheongho’s coffin trembled.

Clunk, clunk.

Though no one could hear the sound of the coffin rattling, everyone turned to look due to the power felt beyond the coffin.

Hwang-ho suspected that the strategy mentioned by Gongcheonghwon, or the plan prepared by his benefactor, might be inside that coffin.

Even if that movement had nothing to do with their strategy, he couldn’t ignore the movement of his friend’s body.

Both Gongcheonghwon and Hwang-ho rushed toward the tank containing the coffin.

Boom!

The robed figures moved quickly to block them and cast spells.

Jeok-ho tried to protect the two by casting a poison mist, but the weapon containing the legacy of the tiger hunt cut through the mist and poured toward them.

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Gongcheonghwon easily deflected the weapon with his hand technique based on Taehogwon, sending it flying or knocking it away, but Hwang-ho was too busy dodging.

Meanwhile, the movement of the coffin became even more pronounced.

‘If the knight of the yellow rose frees the coffin...!’

The knight of the yellow rose also realized that something was happening inside the coffin and began to untangle the rose vines wrapped around the tank, trying to manipulate it.

But even as the knight of the yellow rose poured in her ability, the tank didn’t respond.

She grimaced and muttered something, presumably a curse aimed at the knight of water shadows.

It seemed she had manipulated the tank to not react to other Grand Cross powers in preparation for this fight.

‘If we rush forward recklessly like this, we won’t save Cheongho and will be wiped out.’

Perhaps thinking the same as Hwang-ho, Gongcheonghwon lowered his body and focused on his legs.

Before Hwang-ho could stop him, Gongcheonghwon threw himself forward with all his might.

There was no defense, no hesitation—just a reckless charge.

A barrage of arrows rained down on Gongcheonghwon, and Jeok-ho threw his own body in front of him to lessen the impact.

‘Jeok-ho!’

Jeok-ho staggered as an arrow struck him.

Instead of the damage being redirected, Gongcheonghwon, bleeding from several arrows that grazed him, managed to reach the tank and placed his hand on it.

He didn’t simply place his hand on it.

Gongcheonghwon was casting one of Taehogwon’s moves, “Tiger Claw.”

The Tiger Claw didn’t destroy the tank, but it transmitted power through it, breaking the chains that bound the coffin.

And from the crack in the coffin, blinding light poured out.

The light wasn’t just spilling from the coffin.

Light also emanated from Gongcheonghwon.

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‘It’s the blessing of Cheongho.’

The blessing of Cheongho, which he had faintly felt whenever Gongcheonghwon fought, responded now, growing stronger.

‘I will always serve Shin-in and eradicate threats.’

The blessing, mixed with Cheongho's will and wish, was now pouring through Gongcheonghwon.

Boom!

At that moment, a tremendous sound overwhelmed the underground hall of the Rose Farm.

The soundproofing items designed to protect them were shattered.

Among the shattered items, traces of a mixed energy of Cheongho and Gongcheonghwon lingered.

Weapons meant for hunting tigers, scattered around Gongcheonghwon and Jeok-ho, exploded.

‘Did Cheongho leave the blessing for Shin-in to prepare for this...?’

The fact that Cheongho and Shin-in were preparing to fight again against the Hojo family was like a death sentence for them.

It seemed that Cheongho and Shin-in had indeed prepared to fight in case of this moment.

“Cheongho!”

Through the crack in the coffin, Cheongho’s eyes were visible.

He seemed to hear Hwang-ho calling him, but he could not yet emerge from the coffin.

“It's just one more tiger added to the mix. Calm down!”

The robed figures seemed startled, but they didn’t completely fall apart.

Hwang-ho felt a chilling thought.

Perhaps the shadowy mastermind had predicted everything—the number of Jo Yi-shin and Hojo family members—and even Cheongho’s resurrection.

The water in the tank turned an ominous color.

At that moment...

Boom!

A bright flash of pure white light flickered.

The light, which appeared without warning, was a very familiar sight to the Hojo family.

Hwang-ho doubted whether he was seeing things.

This light was the trace left by Baek-ho’s “Power to Go Anywhere.”

Even more astonishing was that there wasn’t just one white flash.

In the white flash, Baek-ho appeared—not once, but twice.